Today Syd Barrett would have been 80. Discover why David Bowie's "Heroes" just exploded on streaming, the touching final note George Harrison left the world, and John Lennon's incredible impromptu stage moment. We've got anniversary deep-dives, studio gossip, and reunion news, and more…
Have a Rockin Day,
Hippy Pete
TODAY IN CLASSIC ROCK
1964 – The Rolling Stones Launch First Major UK Tour
The Rolling Stones kicked off their first major headlining tour of Great Britain with a show at the Granada Cinema in Harrow, London. The "Group Scene '64" package tour featured The Ronettes as co-headliners, along with support acts including The Cheynes (featuring a young Mick Fleetwood on drums), Dave Berry and the Cruisers, The Swinging Blue Jeans, and Marty Wilde. The tour ran without a single night off until it concluded on January 27 at Bristol's Colston Hall. One newspaper review described the Stones as looking "like refugees from a barber's shop, and dress like gentlemen of the open road."
1968 – The Beatles' Magical Mystery Tour Hits #1
The Beatles' Magical Mystery Tour LP reached the top spot on the U.S. Billboard 200, where it remained for eight consecutive weeks. It became the British band's 11th No. 1 album in America. The album featured surreal classics including "I Am The Walrus" and "Strawberry Fields Forever."
1970 – Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young's UK Debut
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young made their first UK performance at Royal Albert Hall in London. Among the audience members was Paul McCartney, who attended the historic show. This performance marked CSNY's introduction to British audiences during their prime creative period.
1973 – Carly Simon's "You're So Vain" Tops Charts
Carly Simon's "You're So Vain" reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, beginning a three-week run at the top. The song featured Mick Jagger on backing vocals and a bass intro by Klaus Voormann. The lyrics, rumored to be about Jagger (among others), became Simon's signature song and biggest hit. It also topped charts in Canada and Australia.
1975 – Pink Floyd Begins Recording Wish You Were Here
Pink Floyd began recording sessions for their iconic ninth album Wish You Were Here at Abbey Road Studios in London. The album would open and close with "Shine On You Crazy Diamond," a nine-part tribute to former bandmate Syd Barrett. In one of rock's most poignant moments, Barrett himself would unexpectedly visit the studio during these sessions, appearing so changed that band members initially didn't recognize him. The album was released in September 1975.
1976 – Peter Frampton Releases Frampton Comes Alive!
Peter Frampton released his double live album Frampton Comes Alive! via A&M Records. The album became a cultural phenomenon and one of the best-selling live albums of all time in the U.S., eventually going 8x Platinum. It topped the Billboard 200 and delivered three Top 20 hits: "Baby, I Love Your Way," "Show Me the Way," and "Do You Feel Like We Do." It became the best-selling album of 1976 in America.
1977 – EMI Terminates Sex Pistols Contract
After releasing only one single ("Anarchy in the U.K."), EMI Records terminated its contract with controversial punk rock band the Sex Pistols in response to the band's disruptive behavior on ITV's Today program and at London Heathrow Airport. The decision marked a pivotal moment in punk rock's confrontation with the mainstream music industry.
1978 – Kiss Delivers "One of the Greatest Shows"
Kiss played the Carolina Coliseum in Columbia, South Carolina, where a local review described the performance as "one of the greatest shows" the venue had seen. The band was at the height of their theatrical rock powers during their Love Gun/Alive II touring cycle.
BORN ON THIS DAY:
1946 – Syd Barrett (Pink Floyd) – Born Roger Keith Barrett in Cambridge, England, the visionary founder, singer, guitarist, and primary songwriter of Pink Floyd co-founded the band in 1965. His mercurial brilliance shaped the band's psychedelic sound before mental health issues led to his departure in 1968. Barrett left the music industry entirely in 1974. Pink Floyd would later write numerous tributes to him, most notably "Shine On You Crazy Diamond." He died on July 7, 2006, at age 60.
1947 – Sandy Denny (Fairport Convention) – Born Alexandra Elene MacLean Denny in London, the pre-eminent British folk rock singer joined Fairport Convention in 1968 and revolutionized their sound by encouraging the band to explore traditional British folk repertoire. She is credited as a key figure in developing British folk rock. Denny is perhaps best remembered as the only guest vocalist to ever appear on a Led Zeppelin album, singing on "The Battle of Evermore" from their fourth album (1971). She died on April 21, 1978, at age 31.
1953 – Malcolm Young (AC/DC) – Born in Elizabeth Bay, New South Wales, Australia, the co-founder and rhythm guitarist of AC/DC started the band with his brother Angus in 1973. His powerful rhythm guitar work became the backbone of AC/DC's sound and inspired legendary guitarists including Megadeth's Dave Mustaine, Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl, and Metallica's James Hetfield. Young died on November 18, 2017, at age 64.
